Kelly HuddlestonReseñas

I cannot, absolutely cannot say how much I disliked this book. The prose was badly written, the characters 'monochromatic' and always bitter and angry, and difficult to find sympathy with. The title has nothing to do with the actual events of the story and there is little finesse in any of it.

I was asked to read and review this novel by my wife who had been given an ARC, because she believed she was being too hard in her review. Having read the book now, I have to concur with her review, and actually think she was being kind, to be as positive as she was.

Perhaps I'm just old and cynical.

Everything in this novel is bleak. Mercy's single, asthmatic mother works two waitress jobs, her best friend is not very nice, the town mall is dying, and no one has any hope. The only bright light on the horizon is Mercy's upcoming contest prize trip to meet a movie star. I need to read about happy people living in mansions to erase this depressing story from my mind.

If I had to summarize A Week with Fiona Wonder in a phrase, I would call it a contemporary YA version of Roseanne. It very much has the feel of the show, but with more teen angst, but real angst not fake angst like on teen TV shows. It is very hard to describe, but a wonderful read.

I like this book the characters are well written, interesting.it was a easy book to read I read it quickly.and would recommend this book for anyone interested in reading it.

I'm not one to dislike a book, but this book... First, the summary, cover, and title are all highly misleading. Second, the writing style and execution is weak and seems rushed.

I've scanned the reviews of others and I've found many saying the novel is "depressing." I quite enjoy reading "depressing" novels and I'm not particularly upset that Fiona Wonder is a bit sad, but I can definitely see why others would find this to be a problem. As many reviewers mentioned, they read the book expecting an upbeat coming of age story, when in actuality the book is dark and tries too hard to be deep while stuck on a superficial level.

I still connect with teen angst quite well and I felt that Mercy's (protagonist) angst is forced and fake, as if Kelly Huddleston had never in their life felt any type of angst--as if they'd read of it and tried to emulate it by studying it.

Reading this novel was difficult, as it is quite bland. Word choices, particularly in regards to dialogue, are awkward and unrealistic. I found many misspelled company and product names, which may have been due to copyright, but it would have been a better choice to invent new names and products than to try to re-name well-known products with an awkward generic name.

As previously stated, the book is bland and lacking detail in important places. The few details included are rambling descriptions of directions to the mall and drawn-out email composing. Unimportant background characters are given lengthy introductions and descriptions that are completely unnecessary. The only character development in the entire novel feels forced and abrupt. There is little escalation or foreshadowing, and the development that does occur makes absolutely no sense. Mercy's feelings are never explored. They're danced around and hinted at, but they're explosive and somewhat irrational with no explanation. I felt I understood the feelings of background characters better than I understood Mercy's.

There is not a single likeable or relatable character, except maybe Mercy's peer (and later friend) Robin and her mother's co-worker Gabriel. This wouldn't be so much of a problem if the setting and/or plot were more interesting. The Great Gatsby has zero likable characters and yet, it is a classic due to it's story and message. Fiona Wonder has a sociopolitical message as well, but the idea of this message does not make up for it's poor execution.

The only emotions this novel brought me were annoyance and anger. Not once did I feel happy or sad for any of the characters. The majority of them were selfish, condescending, and self-absorbed with no moments of clarity. Maybe this was a statement Huddleston was trying to make, but it didn't feel like one. The characters literally just feel like soulless, pointless pieces in the most boring, uneventful, angry game of chess of all time. There were many times while reading this book that I felt the overwhelming need to set my e-reader down and physically "face-palm" in secondhand embarrassment for the author.

Reading this novel felt like reading the initial outline (not even the first draft) to what could be a great novel. The story has potential. Even the horrendous characters have potential, if only they were given some time, thought, and a cup of tea.

This was a rambling, angry rant of a book with characters that are so unfathomable you can never really connect with them. The misleading title and optimistic description completely belie the contents. This is a sociopolitical dissertation on the ravages of the recession disguised as a feel good coming of age novel.

I found this book to be reasonably well written but depressing. I could not connect with any of the characters as they were all really mean people except for Mercy's mother who was nice but incredibly stupid in her actions, and Mercy who at first was unbelievably kind and naive but quickly spiraled to be rather cruel (although this wasn't unwarranted). I am sure that there are many people who would actually enjoy this book but I did not as I didn't see that there was a real point or lesson to be learned from it. I don't think that all stories need to have a moral or a lesson that you learn but in that case they should be slightly more enjoyable to read.½

I can remember reading So.B.It. in sixth grade and this book reminds me of that novel so much. Both deal with a daughter who has a mother that they wish they could help out, but they can not simply because they are too young. A Week with Fiona Wonder is fitting into a trend of books I’ve been reading lately where the novel is good, do not get me wrong, but it lacks a certain something that makes it great for me. The novel has a misleading title since Mercy’s story is not actually about the week she spends with Fiona Wonder, but the week leading up to it.

I enjoyed Mercy, Robin, her mother, Gabriel, and not very many other characters in the novel. A large chunk of the characters are so concerned with their own lives that they lack the compassion to see the turmoil going on in the lives of those around them. Mercy is a sweet girl who gives everyone the benefit of the doubt until she decides that she has had enough at which point she becomes like the characters that I had grown to hate at that point in the novel.

This novel was a bit of a frustrating trip, I am not going to lie. The writing style had some really good points, but there were other points when I just wanted to get on with the story and get back to the main plot. The ending was a bit emotional, but slightly predictable. There were quite a few loose ends that were left tied up and relationships that had just begun to develop that I would have liked to have seen grow a bit more. In conclusion I would recommend this novel to fans of So.B.It. although I will give the warning that I think they will enjoy So.B.It. more. I am not saying I wouldn’t recommend this book, but if you have a choice between this and another novel you’ve been waiting to read I am just sayin’ maybe you should pick the other one.½

In A Week With Fiona Wonder, written by Kelly Huddleston, we find ourselves plunked plumb in the midst of the angst of teen Mercy Swimmer and the week before she gets to spend a week with movie star Fiona Wonder. Now, before you dismiss this as just another teen ‘coming of age’ story, I strongly advise that you read it. Mercy is doing her best – at least at times – to function in a dysfunctional environment, surrounded by dysfunctional people.
Huddleston paints an environment of economic adversity, where no one is exempt from pain. Not Mercy’s mother, an asthmatic who works two jobs as a waitress to support the two of them. We’re never really told where Mercy’s father got off to, and frankly, by the time we’re halfway through Mercy’s week, we no longer care. Mercy’s mom, though, is one of the most tragically flawed, yet sympathetic, figures in the book – aside from Mercy herself. Severely asthmatic, she foregoes buying a rescue inhaler so that she can buy a trinket for Mercy that wins her a chance to spend a week with Fiona Wonder, a movie star about whom we know little other than that she has a big head on screen, but seems to be beset with as many doubts as her adoring fans.
Then, there’s Valerie, Mercy’s overweight, over-indulged best friend. Valerie treats Mercy like an old shoe, yet Mercy keeps coming back for more. Likewise, there’s Nikki, her mom’s friend, who is also something of a narcissistic personality with relationship issues.
One more warning: while this is a book written about a teenager, it’s not really written for younger readers. It deals with very adult issues, in a blunt, uncompromising way – often even profane. It is also definitely not a coming of age novel; more a surviving from sunup to sundown story. You never know from page to page, really, whether you want to cheer Mercy on or slap her silly. However you feel, though, I predict you’ll keep reading to see what happens next.

A Week with Fiona Wonder is about a girl, named Mercy, whose mother has won her a week with movie star, Fiona Wonder. Contrary to the title, the book has little to do with meeting a movie star and more to do with what winning this "honor" stirs up in Mercy's life.

Mercy is aptly named for all that she puts up with. Most of the characters in the book are quite unlikable - some, disgustingly so - which is part of the story's point. The first few chapters, Mercy just stands by and watches what awful things these people do. Eventually, she finally decides she's had enough - and promptly, becomes almost as unlikable as some of the rest of the cast. Frustrating though the trip was, the book comes to an emotional end, and I found myself feeling close to Mercy again, even though she had disappointed me along the way.

The writing style is fresh and very readable. Even when I was frustrated with the characters, I was still interested in the plot and where it was going. The spark between Mercy and one of the only really likable characters also helped my enjoyment of the book, and I learned a little about telescopes along the way.

If you keep in mind this is a teen book, then you won't be too disappointed. The character development is thin and the plot is a bit disorganized but it's an okay read. I was bothered by Mercy's relationship with her self-centered and condescending best friend. About half way through I was confused and irritated by the temper tantrum Mercy started throwing with everyone. I get that she's in a teenage angst phase but it was a bit much.

Overall, it was an easy read and the story was interesting. I think I might recommend it more for teens, however. I think they might connect with Mercy's feelings more than an older reader.

I too determine if a book is good or not If I can't put the book down. In this case, I did keep reading but wasn't a case of couldn't put it down. I thought Mercy was very hateful to her Mother several times, although she did have a caring heart, as shown by her care of the autistic child she took care of. Mercy certainly didn't appreciate the things her Mother did for her although buying the bracelet and trip was her Mother's own dream. I didn't find the characters to be interesting and agree that the title of the book really have little to do with the story line.

Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book.

People often say that they can't put a book down, but in this case I simply couldn't convince myself that this story was worth picking up. I struggled through the entire thing, forcing myself through the badly written pages and concept-lacking story line. The main character wins a trip to see a movie star, Fiona Wonder. They are meant to spend a week together, as the title alludes to, however the book itself has nothing to do with its title, other than the fact that the week scheduled is yet to come. Some of the events that brought the celebrity visit about caused the events to happen in the week before, but there is little continuity between what I was expecting to read and what I actually got. Rewrite the title and at least you won't disappoint so many people from the get-go.

Beyond mismatch of title and plot, the characters were aggressive, mean and furious at everything all of the time. I found little to no love between any of them and no joys in any of their lives. This story is all about shoving the rotten economy down the reader's throat, forcing them to see how malls are closing, people are losing jobs and pounding you in the head to make you feel sorry for them. I already feel sorry for the people who, like me, had to find other employment in the past few years. I don't need to be thrown a novel of despair and hopelessness and be told to hold on for my emotional salvation. This is not a life preserver or ray of hope if it is filled with pissed off characters who can't see past their own noses. There was one good and interesting conversation throughout the entire book and that was near the end. Not surprisingly, it was the family's big argument. What else can you expect from characters that are based on hate and prejudice, full of spite and conceit and have no other real facet to them?

The plot of this story rambles. This is a book about a week in the life of an angry girl whose best friend isn't a friend at all. Her stupidity was beyond my comprehension and her actions and thought process were at times so convoluted and bizarre that I found it difficult to believe the character could exist at all, even on paper. There is potential here for a decent story, if time had been put into working out actual plot and character development. Instead the rambling is tiresome and the reader is filled with useless descriptions of what is on the radio or how to get to the mall instead of what is going on in the minds of the characters while their life is supposedly evolving around them. What could have been a book about family, togetherness and struggling through hard times to find a way above has become an angry, cold thing that I have no desire to relive again and was more than happy to be rid of.

Note: Though this book was a free gift from the author, the content of my review was in no way influenced by the gifting. The book speaks for itself and my review would have been worded just this way even if I'd gone out and bought it. I also give bonus points for Text To Speech enabling on Kindle format.... but that also wasn't a factor in the above review.½

This was an extremely wonderful book. The main character, Mercy, is struggling in trying to find happiness in her life. Her Mother, Mom's best friend work in a mall that is going to be demolished. Almost every character you meet is dysfunctional in one way or another. Mercy's Mother bought her an expensive bracelet that won a contest to see film star Fiona Wonder. Mercy's mother is her biggest fan but Mercy could care less. In the week leading up to the trip, she struggles with so many emotions with the people in her life.
This book was very well written, had a smooth plot line that was easy to follow and had characters that were absolutely believable and loveable despite their own problems. I encourage everyone from teenagers and up to read this book. Well done!

I received this book free from Library Thing to read and review. This is a wonderful book about Mercy Swimmer, a very misunderstood and underappreciated teenager, whose mother wins a week with Fiona Wonder, a movie star, for her. The book focuses on Mercy’s life leading up to her departure for the week with Fiona. In the book, the reader is introduced to a myriad of characters with all sorts of flaws, none of whom really see or accept Mercy for the kind, good-hearted person she is. As the reader progresses through the week leading up to the trip to the movie star’s location, Mercy and her rag-tag group of friends end up in a variety of odd but somehow humorous and endearing situations, until Mercy’s mother’s severe asthma forces Mercy to make some difficult choices. The characters in this book, though all with some sort of “problem” are still quite endearing and realistic, and it is easy to see how Mercy sticks around them. It is often difficult to believe what is going on or why Mercy doesn’t just ditch them for some other friends whose problems will not regularly take the center stage, but that is just how Mercy is. Finally, as the story nears completion, Mercy becomes frustrated with everything and everyone around her, and begins to fall into fear, anger and revenge. How she handles these feelings is interesting. This is the story of a loyal friend and daughter, who goes along with just about everything that happens until the breaking point. The plot is well developed and flows smoothly throughout. I think most readers would find a lot in the book that is of interest and to which they can easily relate. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more by this author.

It is different for everyone how they determine if a book is good or not. If I can't put the book down, if I keep thinking about it and if I look forward to diving back into the story, then that's a good sign for me.
Considering the size of this book, it should not have taken me so long to read it. But I was never in the mood. I found the characters pretty unpleasant and it was just hard to get into.

The title is a little misleading, it is the reason why the story exists, but not the actual event that is taking place. Interesting take on the reality of our times, like recession and all, but I enjoy escaping to another place when I read, and this for me was a downer.

A very poignant story told by a young girl who wants to believe in kindness and wonder but is in alternation too protected or too bullied to find her place. Caught between her mother's illness and dreams and her best friend's greed and selfishness, she struggles to find her voice, come to terms with a harsh reality that spares no one. The feelings are potent and described with sensitivity - one cannot help but relate to Mercy and feel for her pain and disillusionment.
There is also a strong social message about poverty and economical waste, a society that let greed and power strangle a nation and crush its people to the point where even dreams are shattered. I found the conclusion a bit succinct, but with it lives my hope that Mercy will succeed despite what she thinks.

This wonderful book evoked a lot of emotions in me, the strongest of which is “melancholy.” I could relate to Mercy in the sense that she is a kind person who tries to see the good in every body. I cheered her on when she stood up for herself, and though some may think she went “overboard” and turned into a complete bitch, I see it as her as someone who’s fed up with what life handed her and who reacts in a realistic, teenager way. I felt a sense of camaraderie with Mercy’s mother, a widow who worked two jobs as a waitress and found solace in Fiona Wonder movies. I’ve struggled working two jobs just to make ends meet, and there have been movies and books that I turn to time and again to escape the world around me. I even saw my mother’s best friend in Nikki.
This is a powerful book with very real characters. It touches on real issues of power and privilege, and it gives an honest glimpse into the world of poverty and how the Recession can and has affected millions of people. The title is a bit misleading because the book is actually about the week leading up to Mercy’s week with Fiona Wonder, and it shows that a lot can happen in seven days.

'A Week with Fiona Wonder' is a beautifully written and deceptively well-constructed novel. Huddleston conjures powerful, evocative, often romantic scenes from the crude base materials of dying shopping malls and tacky fast food joints, in a story filled with deft allusions and brilliantly drawn characters.

Mercy Swimmer, the teenage narrator, is misunderstood by those around her, and unable to understand them. In this, there are clear echoes of 'The Catcher in the Rye', a book which Huddleston openly references. But there's a key contrast between Salinger's renowned protagonist and Huddleston's, in that Mercy is not (and nor is meant to represent) your archetypal angst-ridden teen. Mercy doesn't just feel different - she is different. She's a naïve and empathetic young lady who intuitively understands a great deal about the problems of the world, and how some of them could be solved.

Celestial motifs feature throughout the book, and Mercy is often to be found gazing at the skies, which cleverly enhances her otherness. She is a misfit in many ways, and a dreamer, for sure - but her dreams are not of fifteen minutes of fame on some dreadful TV show. She dreams only of a fairer, happier world - something she knows in her heart is possible, if only the will were there.

As the novel progresses and Mercy's frustrations with the people around her increase, however, another side of her character begins to emerge, one which surprises and disturbs her. She's sucked into new feelings of hurt, anger and vengeance, and before she knows it, it's too late - there can be no return to innocence. As Mercy herself tells us, 'No one knows what goes on inside a black hole unless you're actually in one, and if you're in one then you're already gone.'

When we are introduced to Mercy Swimmer she is sweet and kind, but as she faces struggles and adversity, she begins to change as her world changes. She faces challenges that many teens face--fitting in, relationships with others--as well as challenges that teens should not have to face at such a tender age. The story is told quite beautifully and although I'm not sure I liked Mercy, I found myself hoping that life would become better for her and those around her.

I liked that this book is realistic fiction and deals with things that are happening today- recession, mall closings, bankrupt businesses, love, single parent family, friends. Mercy starts out kind and naive and as her world begins to crash down, she does a 180. As her eyes are opening, I found myself cheering her on but worry about her as she is making enemies when she is really going to need a friend. One friend leaves as another one enters. Mercy does have people that care and will be there for her.
The end seems to set up for a sequel. I would love to know what happens after.
High school girls, especially the "lonely ones" will love this book.

When the story begins Mercy Swimmer is nice and kind to every one even those that are unkind to her. She won the winning receipt to visit to spend a week with movie star Fiona Wonder. The book takes place 1 week before her visit. Strong personalities issues emerge from her best friend Valerie, Valerie’s mom, and with Nikki, her mom’s friend who battles continually with her boyfriend , and her own mom that lives in a dream world, and even Mercy herself begins to have issues. The story shows the value of true friendship – the one that is still there, even through hard times, is priceless.